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“What’s up? Who disappeared? Who’s sleeping in Mama Bear’s bed? You haven’t called If I were there, I’d throw you out of the house It’s hard to do long distance but, get out!”

“Okay”

That shot her through the chest

“Hold on,” she said, alarmed

“You said: Get out!”

“Yes, but—”

“Cru outside”

“Crumley!” she shrieked, “By the bowels of Christ! Crumley!?”

“He’ll protect ”

“Against your panics? Can he mouth-to-mouth breathe those? Can he make sure you eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Lock you out of the refrigerator when you get too chunky? Does he e your underwear!?”

“Peg!”

And we both laughed just a little

“You really going out the door? Maht sixty-seven, Pan Am, Friday Be there! with all the murders solved, bodies buried, and rapacious women kicked downstairs! If you can’t make it to the airport, just be in bed when mama slams the door You haven’t said I love you”

“Peg I love you”

“And one last thing—in the last hour: who died? ”